Samsung Unveils Galaxy S8 With 'Bixby' Voice Assistant
Samsung has unveiled their highly anticipated Galaxy S8 Smartphone, complete with some innovative features. The new version features bigger displays than the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, and has curved screens that extend onto the sides.
But the most talked-about addition is sure to be "Bixby", Samsung's new voice assistant. According to Samsung, Bixby is "fundamentally different" from competitors like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa. Bixby has the ability to observe behavior patterns and add in reminders. If you call your husband at the same time every day, for example, Bixby will ask you (unprompted) if you'd like to call him at that time.
The phone also has facial recognition, supports HDR video, is waterproof and has built-in virtual reality support. Don't go looking for the home button - it's been removed entirely. Preorders start today and shipping begins April 21st. The S8 will initially be available in midnight black, orchid gray and arctic silver.
Source: CNN Money
Parents Are Clueless About The Cost Of Raising A Baby
It’s no secret that it costs a lot to raise a child these days, but it turns out a lot of folks are clueless as to just how much that adorable tot is going to set them back.
According to a new report by NerdWallet, the cost of the first year of parenting comes to about $21,248 for a household making $40,000, but that’s not what most people think. In fact, of expectant parents, which include those planning to have a child in the next three years, 54% believe year one will only set them back about $5,000 or less, with 36% thinking it will cost between $1,001 and $5,000 and 15% expecting it to cost $1,000 or less. Meanwhile 44% of all Americans believe the first year will cost less than $5K.
As for the biggest expenses, parents are also a bit clueless. Half of all hopeful parents, and 48% of Americans, think diapers will set them back the most, when they are actually one of the smallest expenses during year one. In reality, childcare is the biggest expense they’ll incur in the first year, although only 37% are aware that it will be their biggest cost.
And it’s pretty obvious that most parents weren't financially prepared to welcome their baby, with 29% of parents admitting they had no money saved before they had their child. As for how a lot of these expectant parents expect to get by, it seems a lot are counting on their circle of family and friends. The survey finds that 61% believe their friends and family will pitch in more than 20% of the baby’s first-year expenses.
Source: NerdWallet
Today is I Am In Control Day
March 30th is I Am In Control Day. It was March 30th, 1981 – and President Ronald Reagan was being rushed to surgery on a rainy afternoon, a bullet lodged in his lung. Secretary of State Alexander Haig was quoted as saying, “As of now, I am in control here in the White House.”
After being taken to task by the media, Haig explained that he only meant that he was in charge until Vice President George Bush could be sworn in. Bush was en route at the time.
It’s believed that this was the beginning of National I am in Control Day, which has evolved and taken on a different context. Now, it’s looked at as a day to get things in your life under control on a day-to-day basis. So get yourself organized! There’s no better time than the present. You may want to:
- Start using a daily planner
- De-clutter
- Make lists
- Sort out tackling one project at a time
- Learn organizational skills
- Ask for help
- Talk with someone
- Feel confident with your decisions
Bottom line? Take the steps that will work for you to get your life under control. You can do it!
*LIST* The Best (And Worst) States To Retire
Are you dreaming of the day when you can say good-bye to the office for good and head to a beach where you can spend your days enjoying retirement? Well, if you want to make the best of your retirement days, you may want to rethink that beach and head to…New Hampshire?
Bankrate.com looked at eight key factors - cost of living, healthcare quality, crime, cultural vitality, weather, taxes, senior citizens' well-being and the prevalence of other seniors – to determine the best states in the U.S. to retire and New Hampshire tops the list. The state ranks second for well-being, plus they have the third-lowest crime rate, and fourth-best healthcare quality. New Hampshire is such a good spot for retirees, that it earned the number one position despite having the sixth-worst weather in the country.
Ten Best States For Retirement
- New Hampshire
- Colorado
- Maine
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Virginia
- Massachusetts
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Idaho
On the flipside, Alaska is the worst state for retirees, mostly because it lands dead last for weather and percentage of senior citizens. It also has the second-highest crime rate in the nation, the third-highest cost-of living, and are the fifth-worst when it comes to healthcare.
Ten Worst States For Retirement
- Alaska
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- New Mexico
- Louisiana
- Kentucky
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- California
- Mississippi
- ONE MORE THING! The Bankrate survey also finds that a lot of folks are willing to relocate for retirement. In fact, 47% of those surveyed say they’d consider moving somewhere else when they're ready to stop working. One of the biggest factors when choosing a place to retire is cost of living (70%), followed by healthcare (68%) and crime (67%).
Source: Bankrate.com
Pinterest’s Biggest Wedding Food Trends
The “I dos” are the best part of a wedding, but the food and booze come in a close second. And in Pinterest's 2017 wedding report, they detail what food and drinks brides and grooms are pinning to their wedding boards for their upcoming receptions. Here are some trends that are big this year.
Drip cakes - Naked cakes are so last year, so frosting lovers will be happy. Now it’s all about drip cakes, where the yummy toppings drip down the sides. Pinterest says they’re being saved 437% more than last year!
Tacos - Practically everyone loves tacos and budget-friendly build-your-own-taco bars are trendy this year.
Brunch weddings - Daytime weddings with brunch-themes are gaining popularity, which is no surprise with the mimosas and amazing donut wall desserts you can have.
Amped-up cocktail hour - Forget signature cocktails, now couples are personalizing cocktail hour with custom food and drink pairings - like sliders with beer or oysters with champagne.
Personalized drink stations - Some couples are giving guests a break from the long lines at the wedding bar by opting for DIY drink stations where guests can pour their own.
Source: Delish
What Makes You Happier? Things Or Experiences?
I saw this article called “The Science Of Why You Should Spend Your Money On Experiences, Not Things.” It says: “You don't have infinite money. Spend it on stuff that research says makes you happy.
‘One of the enemies of happiness is adaptation,’ says Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University who has been studying the question of money and happiness for over two decades. ‘We buy things to make us happy, and we succeed. But only for a while. New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt to them.’
So rather than buying the latest iPhone or a new BMW, Gilovich suggests you'll get more happiness spending money on experiences like going to art exhibits, doing outdoor activities, learning a new skill, or traveling.”
- What’s the last EXPERIENCE that has made you happy?
- I kind of think “things” and real estate are better investments than trips and vacations. But I like this guy’s point about education and learning new skills.
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